Registration of Cadaver's Sectioned Images to Patient's Head MRIs / 대한의료정보학회지

OBJECTIVE: Cadaver's sectioned images with high resolution and real color could be used as the source of realistic three-dimensional images. If the sectioned images are registered to a patient's MRIs, three-dimensional images with high resolution and real color that fit the patient, can be produced; the three-dimensional images enable realistic virtual surgery for the patient. The objective of this study was to verify the registration of a cadaver's sectioned images to a patient's head MRIs. METHODS: The sectioned images of the heads of cadaver were associated with segmented images selected at 3 mm intervals. The patient had his head MR scanned at 3 mm intervals; the MRIs were segmented. Software to register the cadaver's sectioned images to the patient's MRIs was developed. On this software, the corresponding dots were identified on both the sectioned images and the MRIs either manually or automatically using segmented images. RESULTS: The registered sectioned images corresponded to the patient's MRIs. Both manual and automatic registrations were satisfied. CONCLUSION: Further study is needed for registering sectioned images to actual patients.

Serially Sectioned Images of the Whole Body (Eighth Report: Segmentation of the Upper Limb's Structures) / 대한해부학회지

Whole body of a Korean male cadaver was serially milled to make sectioned images. Segmentation of various anatomical structures can expand the utilization of the sectioned images such as three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the structures of real human. Following previous outlining of lower limb's structures, we decided to make segmented images of upper limb's structures in detail. Ninety-one structures (a skin, 32 bones, 49 muscles, 6 arteries, and 3 nerves) in the left upper limb were segmented in 628 sectioned images. While doing this, we developed more efficient technique for segmentation. To draw the outlines of various structures more quickly, sectioned images were filtered first and then outlines were drawn by 'quick selection' tool and other tools on the Photoshop. Also, outlines were automatically generated by interpolation using Combustion software. We made coronal and sagittal segmented images, browsing software of the serially sectioned images, volume 3D images, and surface 3D images for verifying segmentation. These segmented and sectioned images of the upper limb are expected to help other researchers make 3D images and various software of upper limb and to have widespread applications in both medical learning and research.

Three Dimensional Automatic Surface Reconstruction Software / 대한의료정보학회지

OBJECTIVE: After drawing and stacking contour of structures, which are identifed in the serially sectioned images, three-dimensional (3D) images can be made by surface reconstruction. The 3D images can be selected and rotated in a real time. The purpose of this research is to compose software of automatic surface reconstruction for making 3D images. METHODS: Contours of 55 structures in the 613 magnetic resonance images of whole body were drawn to make segmented images. We composed automatic software for stacking contours of a structure, for converting the contours into polygons, and for connecting vertices of the neighboring polygons to fill gaps between polygons with triangular surfaces. The surface reconstruction software was excuted to make 3D images of 55 structures. RESULTS: Virtual dissection software, on which 3D images could be selected and rotated, was composed. CONCLUSION: For other research, this like program can be composed for automatic surface reconstruction; several kinds of commercial software can be used for manual or automatic surface reconstruction. Investigators might choose one of the methods in consideration of their only circumstances.

Serially Sectioned Images of the Whole Body - Sixth Report: Browsing Software of the Serially Sectioned Images for Learning Sectional Anatomy / 대한해부학회지

Sectional anatomy is the course to learn anatomical structures on the sectional planes of cadaver. The purpose of this research is to make browsing software of the serially sectioned images, which is useful not only to learn sectional anatomy but also to learn magnetic resonance (MR) images and computed tomography (CT) images. One-thousand seven-hundred two sets of corresponding anatomical, MR, CT, and segmented images (intervals 1 mm) were selected from the serially sectioned images (horizontal direction) of a Korean male cadaver's whole body. We composed browsing software (file size 377 MBytes) of the images, which involved the following functions: The anatomical, MR, CT, and segmented images, which were always corresponding, were displayed; one of four images could be enlarged; images of interesting levels could be displayed in a real time conveniently either using software buttons, scroll bar, image number or using computer keyboard; names of the 13 anatomical structures, which were already segmented, could be displayed. By using this software, medical students and doctors can figure out stereoscopic anatomical structures from the anatomical images to review anatomy; they can compare MR and CT images with corresponding anatomical images to easily recognize anatomical structures in the MR and CT images.

Serially Sectioned and Segmented Images of the Mouse for Learning Mouse Anatomy / 대한해부학회지

Mouse anatomy is fundamental knowledge for researchers who perform biomedical experiments with mice. The purpose of our research is to present the serially sectioned images and segmented images of the mouse to produce three-dimensional images of the mouse, which are helpful in learning mouse anatomy. Using a cryomacrotome, a couple of male and female mice were transversely serially sectioned at 0.5 mm intervals to make sectioned surfaces. The sectioned surfaces were digitalized to make serially sectioned images. In the serially sectioned images of the female mouse, 14 structures including skin and bones were semi-automatically segmented on Adobe Photoshop software to make segmented images. The serially sectioned images and segmented images were stacked to make sagittal and coronal images, which were used for verifying the serially sectioned images and segmented images. In this ongoing research, the segmented images of male mouse will be added. All serially sectioned images and segmented images of the mouse will be presented worldwide. These images are expected to be used by many researchers for making three-dimensional images and virtual dissection software of the mouse, which are helpful in comprehending the stereoscopic morphology of the mouse's structures.

Manufacture of the Serially Sectioned Images of the Whole Body (Fifth Report: Methods for Manufacture of the Three Dimensional Images and Virtual Dissection Software) / 대한해부학회지

To be helpful in medical education, anatomical images were made by serial sectioning of the Korean cadaver's whole body at 0.2 mm intervals. Successively, segmented images were made by outline drawing of thirteen anatomical structures on the anatomical images. First purpose of this research is to verify that anatomical and segmented images are correct by means of the virtual dissection of 3D (three dimensional) images, which are made of the anatomical and segmented images. Second purpose is to verify that the virtual dissection is helpful in studying anatomy. A 3D anatomical image and a 3D segmented image were made by stacking the anatomical and segmented images and subsequently by volume reconstructing after both intervals and pixel size of the anatomical and segmented images were reduced to be 1 mm. Virtual dissection software, on which the 3D anatomical and 3D segmented images could be sectioned at free angles, and the 3D anatomical images of the several anatomical structures could be selected to display referring to the 3D segmented image and could be rotated at the free angles, was made. As the result of this research, corresponding 3D anatomical and 3D segmented images (resolution 494x282x1,702) were prepared; and virtual dissection software, which could be conveniently operated on the personal computer, was prepared. On the virtual dissection software, stereoscopic shape and location of the anatomical structures were corresponding to anatomical knowledge, so that the anatomical and segmented images were verified to be correct. The virtual dissection software was verified to be helpful in studying stereoscopic shape and location of the anatomical structures. If the anatomical images, segmented images, 3D images, and virtual dissection software made in this research are distributed worldwide, they will help not only medical students and doctors study anatomy but also other researchers make better segmented images, 3D images, and virtual dissection software.

Manufacture of the Serially Sectioned Images of the Whole Body (First Report: Methods for Embedding and Serial Sectioning) / 대한해부학회지

Serially sectioned images (MR, CT, and anatomical images) of the whole body are helpful in anatomy education because three dimensional images can be reconstructed with the serially sectioned images, and then the three dimensional images can be sectioned and rotated. To make the most important anatomical images of the serially sectioned images, the cadaver's whole body should be embedded, frozen, and serially sectioned to make sectioned surfaces. In this study, to make the sectioned surfaces better than the Visible Human Project dataset, the equipments and techniques have been developed as follows. First, the equipments (embedding box, freezer) and techniques for embedding and freezing of the cadaver's whole body have been developed. Second, the equipments (cryomacrotome) and techniques for serial sectioning of the embedding box at 0.2 mm intervals have been developed. By using these equipments and techniques, the sectioned surfaces with good quality could be made at 0.2 mm intervals. The anatomical images made of the sectioned surfaces will be the basis for making better three dimensional images which are more helpful in anatomy education.

Manufacture of the Serially Sectioned Images of the Whole Body (Second Report: Photographing and Processing of the Anatomical Images) / 대한해부학회지

Serially sectioned images (MR, CT, and anatomical images) of the whole body are helpful in anatomy education because three dimensional images can be reconstructed with the serially sectioned images, and then the three dimensional images can be sectioned and rotated. To make the most important anatomical images of serially sectioned images, sectioned surfaces should be inputted into the personal computer after serial sectioning of the cadaver's whole body. In this study, equipments (digital camera and strobes) and techniques for inputting the sectioned surfaces into the personal computer to make anatomical images and for processing the anatomical images have been developed. By using these equipments and techniques, the anatomical images with the actual feature of the sectioned surfaces, the right alignment, and the constant brightness could be made. These anatomical images will be the basis for making good three dimensional images which are helpful in anatomy education.